Operation Avalanche 2016

Thriller

Box Office

$32K

Runtime

94 min

Language

English

Made by

Lionsgate

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Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Operation Avalanche (2016). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

The film begins with the iconic speech of John F. Kennedy proclaiming, “We choose to go to the Moon.”

Set in 1967, a group of ambitious CIA operatives—Matt Johnson, Owen Williams, Andy Apelle, and Jared Raab—persuade their superiors to allow them to disguise themselves as a documentary crew filming the Apollo 11 mission. Their true mission is to uncover a Soviet mole within NASA.

While eavesdropping on James Webb, the NASA administrator, they stumble upon shocking information: the lander meant for the Moon landing is actually incapable of making it there, and this critical detail is being kept under wraps. When they approach their superior, Brackett, with this urgent news, they are met with instructions to exit NASA. However, they choose to stay and dig deeper.

Determined to hide the lander’s shortcomings and thwart the Russians in the ongoing Space Race, the team launches “Operation Avalanche.” Through this operation, they begin to fabricate aspects of the Moon landing, and Brackett lends his approval, even assigning agent Josh Boles to monitor them closely.

During an analysis of footage from a NASA pool party, Jared notices suspicious individuals filming them. Intrigued by the production of Stanley Kubrick’s film, 2001: A Space Odyssey, the crew travels to England to covertly film the set, seeking inspiration for their own endeavor. There, they learn about front screen projection, a technique that will enhance the authenticity of their fabricated Moon landing footage. They develop a strategy to simulate radio signals from the lander, complete with a scripted broadcast of the fake landing.

As chaos unfolds, Matt grows increasingly anxious when he discovers the CIA’s unsettling plan: if their charade fails, the agency intends to shoot down the real Apollo 11 lander, framing the Soviets for the incident. Desperate, Matt begins burying the finished footage in a field as a contingency plan.

During one of their shoots, Owen spots two men observing them. Upon confronting these individuals, they quickly flee. Boles announces they have identified the mole, but suspicion lingers that he may not be connected to the men following them. Analyzing archival footage with the purported mole, Owen deduces that he was indeed the other person speaking with Webb, suggesting a conspiracy involving the mole, Boles, and the mysterious watchers, all potentially working for the CIA. Following the unexpected death of the “mole,” Owen fears that the CIA plans to eliminate them to tie up loose ends.

After completing Avalanche, Matt shares a copy with Boles while discreetly destroying another version containing evidence of their deception. The launch of their faked Moon landing proceeds flawlessly, and Matt sets fire to the props used in the project. However, they soon discover their motel room ransacked and men combing the area. Just as they retrieve Matt’s copy of the film, they are ambushed by armed attackers in a vehicle, leading to a harrowing escape.

In a tragic twist, Matt finds Owen hanged in his garage. He entrusts the film canisters to Andrew, urging him to hide them away for safety. In a tense moment, Matt contacts Brackett via a payphone, proposing a deal: he will reveal his location in exchange for information on the agents the CIA is set to eliminate. When Brackett tries to sweeten the deal by offering Matt leadership over a new department, Matt refuses, disheartened.

As America celebrates the Apollo 11 landing on television, Matt watches the historic moment unfold with a mixture of pride and despair. In a poignant finale, he gazes into the camera just as Creedence Clearwater Revival’s haunting anthem, Fortunate Son, plays, symbolizing the weight of their monumental yet deceptive victory.

Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Operation Avalanche (2016) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Kennedy's Inspiring Speech

The film opens with John F. Kennedy's iconic statement, "We choose to go to the Moon." This pivotal moment sets the backdrop for the intense Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union, highlighting the urgency and significance of the Apollo 11 mission.

CIA Operatives Formulate a Plan

In 1967, a group of CIA operatives including Matt Johnson and Owen Williams pitches a plan to pose as a documentary crew. Their hidden agenda is to uncover a Soviet mole within NASA, showcasing their determination and ambition to protect national interests.

1967 CIA Headquarters

Discovering Critical Information

While eavesdropping on James Webb, the NASA administrator, the team stumbles upon alarming information about the lunar lander's capabilities. This revelation indicates that the spacecraft meant for the Moon landing is actually unfit for the mission, adding urgency to their investigation.

NASA Headquarters

Choosing to Stay at NASA

Despite being instructed to exit NASA after reporting their findings, the CIA operatives make a bold choice to remain. Their determination to expose the truth leads them deeper into a web of secrecy and deception surrounding the Apollo 11 mission.

NASA

Launching Operation Avalanche

The team initiates 'Operation Avalanche', tasked with fabricating aspects of the Moon landing. Brackett supports their efforts, assigning agent Josh Boles to keep a close eye on their operation, indicating the high stakes involved in their clandestine mission.

Investigating Suspicious Filming

During footage analysis from a NASA pool party, Jared spots suspicious individuals filming the crew. This leads the operatives to investigate the production of Stanley Kubrick's *2001: A Space Odyssey* in England, where they seek inspiration for their own project.

England

Learning Projection Techniques

While in England, the CIA operatives discover front screen projection techniques used in Kubrick's film. This newfound knowledge significantly enhances their ability to create credible and convincing Moon landing footage as part of their deception.

England

Unraveling the CIA's Dark Plan

Matt uncovers a disturbing aspect of the CIA's strategy: they plan to eliminate the real Apollo 11 lander if their fake mission fails. This grim revelation heightens the tension within the group as they scramble to ensure the success of Operation Avalanche.

Concealing Evidence

In a desperate move, Matt begins to bury the completed footage in a field. This contingency plan reveals his growing unease with the mission and the potential consequences of their fabricated Moon landing as the threat from the CIA looms larger.

Confrontation with Observers

As they continue their operation, Owen notices two men watching them closely. Confronting them leads to a tense chase, raising suspicions that they may be connected to the mole and the CIA's ulterior motives.

Death of the Mole

The unexpected death of the alleged mole sends shockwaves through the group. Owen fears that the CIA may eliminate them to cover up loose ends, captivating the operatives in a rush against time to protect their lives and their secret.

Successful Moon Landing Simulation

After wrapping up Operation Avalanche, the team successfully launches their fabricated Moon landing. As they finalize their deception, Matt destroys evidence while celebrating a thrilling yet morally questionable victory.

Ambushed and Escaping

Amidst the chaos following their success, the group's motel room is ransacked, and they are pursued by armed attackers. This intense moment forces them to execute a daring escape, demonstrating the extreme risks they face.

Motel

Tragic Turn of Events

In a heart-wrenching moment, Matt discovers Owen hanged in his garage, devastated by the loss. He entrusts the remaining film canisters to Andrew, emphasizing the treacherous path they have walked and the consequences of their actions.

Watching the Apollo 11 Landing

As America celebrates the Apollo 11 landing, Matt watches the historic event unfold on television. Filled with mixed emotions of pride and despair, he reflects on the lingering consequences of their monumental deception.

July 20, 1969

Characters

Explore all characters from Operation Avalanche (2016). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Matt Johnson

Matt Johnson is a determined and resourceful CIA operative who strives to keep his team afloat amidst escalating tensions. As the leader, he grapples with the moral dilemmas of their deception and becomes increasingly paranoid as the stakes rise. His character encapsulates both the ambition of the era and the heavy burden of the consequences of their actions.

🕵🏻 Operative ⚖️ Morality

Owen Williams

Owen Williams is characterized by his eagerness and intelligence, playing a crucial role in uncovering the conspiracy surrounding the Apollo 11 mission. His unraveling fears reflect the escalating paranoia within the team, ultimately leading to tragedy. Owen embodies the sacrifices made during the intense climate of espionage and national security.

🧠 Intelligent 😨 Paranoid

Brackett

Brackett is a high-ranking CIA official who initially oversees the operations and supports the team's mission. His character is depicted as pragmatic yet duplicitous, enforcing a harsh reality on his agents as secrets begin to spiral out of control. He embodies the ruthless nature of espionage and the complicated loyalties that arise in desperate situations.

📈 Authority 🔒 Secrecy

Setting

Learn where and when Operation Avalanche (2016) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

1967

Set in 1967, the film captures a critical period in the Cold War when the U.S. and USSR were racing to achieve monumental successes in space exploration. This was a time filled with political tension and nationalistic fervor as America sought to assert its dominance through the Apollo missions. The era is also marked by significant cultural shifts and movements that influenced public perception and propaganda.

Location

NASA, England, USA

The movie predominantly takes place at NASA, the United States' space agency, which was the epicenter of the Apollo 11 mission. It also features scenes in England, where the crew investigates the set of Stanley Kubrick's film, *2001: A Space Odyssey*. The locations reflect the high stakes and intense atmosphere of the Space Race, as well as the secretive operations of the CIA.

🌌 Space 🎬 Film Production 🇺🇸 America

Themes

Discover the main themes in Operation Avalanche (2016). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🚀

Deception

The central theme revolves around deception, as a group of CIA operatives fabricate the Apollo 11 landing to protect national interests. This theme explores the moral implications of lying to the public for perceived greater good while navigating the complex landscape of trust and betrayal within the agency. The characters confront the consequences of their deceit as their lives become entangled in a web of espionage.

🌌

Space Race

The Space Race serves as a backdrop, underscoring the intense competition between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the 1960s. The film portrays the lengths to which individuals will go to achieve victory, highlighting the intersection of patriotism and propaganda. Tension mounts as the operatives attempt to ensure American superiority in space exploration, even at the cost of integrity.

😢

Loss

Loss is poignantly illustrated through the tragic events experienced by the characters. The emotional weight of betrayal, particularly in the death of **Owen**, underscores the personal costs associated with their high-stakes mission. As the characters recklessly navigate their choices, they grapple with the fallout of their decisions, culminating in a palpable sense of sorrow and sacrifice.

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